Steven M. Jones Associate Professor- Animal Science

Steven M. Jones Associate Professor- Animal Science

Information Four Steps in Judging Livestock What is the use for the class Observation or evaluation How does each animal meet the market standard Comparison Each animal must be compared to the other three Conclusion or placing Arrive at a logical placing

Basic Judging Criteria Four animals in a class Numbered 1-4 from left to right when viewed from the rear when tied, in stanchions or racks. Or clearly marked by 1, 2, 3, 4

Basic Judging Criteria Strategy Evaluate from a distance of 20 to 30 feet Handle animals if appropriate to confirm placing Go with first impression

Basic Judging Criteria A Class is about 12 minutes in length First 2 minutes should be at a distance The next three minutes should be to confirm and write down placings. The rest of the time should be used to write down notes for reasons.

Basic Judging Criteria The Hormel system and the judging card. Each class is worth 50 points for the placing. Each set of reasons is worth 50 points. Classes are divided into three pairs Top Middle and Bottom

Basic Judging Criteria 1234 1243 1324 The Hormel System There are 24 different possibilities to place four animals. 1342 1423 1432 2134 2143 2314 2341 2413 2431

Cuts What are CUTS? The penalty for switching top, middle and bottom pairs. These form the basis for grading or scoring the placing. Will never exceed 15 points when added together

Scoring Class is placed 2 1 4 3 The correct placing is 2 1 3 4 With cuts of 2 3 5 Score is 45

Scoring Class is placed 2 1 4 3 The correct placing is 1 2 3 4 With cuts of 3 4 6 Score is 41

Traits To Select For: 1. Structural Soundness both front and rear 2. Muscle Volume 3. Volume and rib shape 4. Growth potential and mature size 5. Femininity in heifers

Structural Soundness

What traits are important? Muscle Fat Sell meat! Want a lean product! Volume/capacity Feed Efficiency Production Capabilities Structural Design Economic Aesthetic Looks Good

The First Step! Poll Tailhead Hip Bone (Hooks) Pin Bone Rump Loin Back Neck Round (Quarter) Side (Ribs) Stifle Hock Flank Forearm Brisket Knee Cannon Bone Pastern

Evaluating Muscle! LOIN (TOP) ROUND STIFLE FOREARM WIDTH OF BASE

Evaluating Fat! TAILHEAD LOIN (TOP) RIBS BRISKET COD (steers) UDDER (heifers) FLANK WIDTH OF BASE

Evaluating Volume! LENGTH OF BODY DEPTH OF BODY RIB SHAPE WIDTH OF BASE

Evaluating Structure! LEVEL DESIGN

Low Yielding (Low cutability) High Yielding (High cutability)

Straight and turns out

Correct Shoulder Structure

Round, Coarse Muscle Shape

Square Hipped, Flatter Muscle

Volume and Rib

Just the opposite

Front Ends

Avoid the extremes

Happy Medium

The optimal steer Trait Range Goal Live weight (pounds) 1000-1400 1250-1300 Dressing percent 60-64 62-63 Fat Thickness (inches) 0.15-0.80 0.25-0.40 Ribeye area (inches 2 ) 12.0-17.0 14.0-16.0 Yield Grade < 3.5 2 Quality Grade Select or > Choice Feed conversion (lbs feed per lb of gain) 5-8 < 6

Ideal Feeder Calf Medium/large framed US number 1 muscling Finished weight of 1100 lbs. to 1350 lbs.

USDA Feeder Cattle Grades Frame Muscling USDA/MRP/AMS

USDA Feeder Cattle Grades Frame Size Relates to finished weight given degree of fatness to grade Choice Skeletal size (height & length) in relation to age Steer (lbs.) Heifer (lbs.) Large > 1250 > 1150 Medium 1100 1250 1000-1150 Small < 1100 < 1000 USDA/MRP/AMS

USDA/MRP/AMS

USDA Feeder Cattle Grades Muscle Thickness Score October 2000 US No. 1 (moderately thick) US No. 2 (TTB slightly thick) US No. 3 (Thin) US No. 4 Relates to muscle to bone ratio at a given degree of fatness and hence yield grade USDA/MRP/AMS

USDA/MRP/AMS

Initial Weight 619 lbs M 80 1 00

Final Wt 1131 lbs Choice YG 3.3

Choice YG 3.3

Initial Weight 642 lbs M 70 1 00

Final WT 1204 lbs Select YG 2.3

Select YG 2.3

Initial Weight 622 lbs L 10 1 10

Final WT - 1235 lbs Choice YG 1.8

Choice YG 1.8

Initial Weight 725 lbs L 40 2 50

Final WT 1298 lbs Select YG 3.4

Select YG 3.4

Initial Weight 553 lbs M 50 1 00

Final WT 1145 lbs Select YG 2.9

Select YG 2.9

Initial Weight 585 lbs M 70 2 50

Final WT 1216 lbs Choice YG 2.8

Choice YG 2.8

Initial Weight 714 lbs L 60 2 70

Final WT 1269 lbs Choice YG 1.2

Choice YG 1.2

Initial Weight 618 lbs L 50 2 50

Final WT 1335 lbs Select YG 3.7

Select YG 3.7

Initial Weight 707 lbs L 40 2 60

Final WT 1212 lbs Select YG 2.7

Select YG 2.7

Problems to Avoid Weak/steep pasterns Sickled hocks Buck-kneed or knock/kneed Pigeon toed Cow hocked Post legged Steep shoulders Coarse, open shoulders Splay-footed

Muscle Muscle is the marketable product Avoid extremes Narrow framed; narrow loined; flat quartered Coarse; overly defined in quarter and shoulder; double muscle

Frame Size Frame size is highly heritable (50%) Moderate frame size is 5 7 Frame size dictates carcass size Avoid extremes

Mammary System of Heifers Difficult to Assess but Foolish to Ignore Teats barely visible and/or embedded in fatty tissue Teats that are too long and/or thick Daughters of cows with balloon teats, pendulous udders, blind quarters or mastitis history

Phenotypic selection & the use of Performance Information Livestock Evaluation Know EPD s (Expected Progeny Difference) Ability to Identify superior genetics Plan matings

That s all folks! The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is implied. University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.